Senior Pentagon and Department of State officials raised concerns about potential Israeli war crimes to President Joe Biden’s administration shortly after the start of the October 7, 2023, war on Gaza, according to a Reuters investigation. Emails exchanged between officials on October 11 to 14 revealed worries about a rising death toll in Gaza violating international law and impacting US relations with the Arab world. The Biden administration faced pressure to shift its messaging from showing solidarity with Israel to acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and allowing more aid.
The State Department’s Bill Russo expressed concerns about losing credibility with Arabic-speaking audiences and being accused of complicity in potential war crimes by remaining silent on Israel’s actions against civilians. A US official with the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Israel’s plans to evacuate one million civilians from Gaza could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and potential war crimes.
Additionally, emails showed discussions about a request from Israel for a rifle shipment, with State Department official Christopher Le Mon recommending denying arms due to reports of Israeli police units violating human rights. Despite these concerns, the US has continued to provide Israel with weapons during the conflict, including precision-guided missiles and bombs.
As the war in Gaza continued, with a significant death toll and injuries reported, the Biden administration faced internal pressure to address the situation more forcefully and acknowledge the suffering of Palestinians. The revelations from the Reuters investigation shed light on the complexities of US support for Israel and the challenges of navigating humanitarian concerns in the region.
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